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Minneapolis, Minnesota, 

January 1, 1903. 

Dear Sir and Companion: 

The Society of American Wars, founded January 11, 1897, 
now includes within its companionship many of the foremost 
men of the country, attracted by its principles, its form of 
organization and its fellowship. On its rolls stand the names 
of seven hundred and forty-three Companions, including two 
hundred and sixt3'-four active and retired officers of the United 
States Army and Navy. Forty-five of its Companions are 
deceased. During this first epoch in our Society's history, 
the Minnesota Commandery, organized at the same time as 
the National Society has successfully carried on the work of 
the gathering of the Companionships throughout the Union. 
The Ohio Commandery, instituted February 22, 1899, has not 
maintained an active existence. The California Commandery, 
instituted September 9, 1899, has made a notable and success- 
ful record, placing it at the head of our Society in activity. 
Of late the work of State organization has progressed but 

slowly. 

The Commandery-in-Chief with a full appreciation of the 
work that must now be done in organizing our national mem- 
bership into active State Commanderies and the comple- 
tion of our designs for Insignia and Diplomas in order that 
the Society may assume its destined high rank among the 
patriotic societies of the country, has elected Rear Admiral 
Henry Glass, U. S. N., our Commander General. 

Admiral Glass in reply to our notification of his nomina- 
tion said that he would be willing to accept the position for 



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the purpose of carrying out the Society's plans for the organ- 
ization of other State Commanderies, that all of our California 
Companions are intensely interested in the Society and that 
he will have their active and constant support in its work. 

The brilliant progress of the California Commandery, 
under the leadership of Admiral Glass and his associates, is a 
sufficient earnest for the future as to what the National So- 
ciety will become under their guidance, 

I look back with great pride upon the earlier work of the 
Society, and it is with the heartiest good feeling and con- 
fidence that I see this work about to be undertaken, expanded 
and carried forward by the new officers of the Commandery- 
in-Chief. 

. Yours fraternally, 

Edward Junius Edwards, 

Ex-Commander-General. 



H 19 B9 



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HECKMAN 1^ 
BINDERY INC. |e| 

^. DEC 88 

•w^''^ N. MANCHESTER, 
INDIANA 46962 








